The Argentine Foreign Minister spoke briefly with Pope Francis at the mass celebrated by His Holiness at Casa Santa Marta
As part of his visit to Rome and the Vatican, Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie attended the mass celebrated by Pope Francis this morning at the church of Casa Santa Marta. At the end of the ceremony, His Holiness and the Argentine Foreign Minister greeted each other and held a brief conversation.
Faurie was then welcomed at the Apostolic Palace by the Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See, Monsignor Paul Richard Gallagher, to whom he expressed the Argentine Government's deep appreciation for the work carried out by the Catholic Church in various areas, such as helping the vulnerable and caring for our Common Home, our planet."
The Argentine Foreign Minister underscored the importance of religious communities in shaping history and the identity of our society, in a peaceful environment in which we all live together. "In Argentina, religions are a driver of unity. Religious leaders are key actors in the development of a society that believes in dialogue and peaceful coexistence," Faurie stated.
Gallagher and Faurie also addressed the humanitarian situation in Venezuela. The Argentine Foreign Minister stressed that Argentina and the Lima Group do not recognize the legitimacy of the electoral process held in Venezuela on 20 May, as it lacked transparency and fair conditions, and stated that Argentina supports Pope Francis's project known as "Bridges of Solidarity", aimed at helping thousands of Venezuelans fleeing from poverty and hunger to the neighbouring countries.
The Secretary and the Foreign Minister further discussed the need to continue promoting a global commitment for the protection of the environment. Faurie stressed Argentina's commitment to the Paris Agreement and the fact that, under the Argentine G20 Presidency, this issue will be addressed by one of the main working groups.
Gallagher was born in Liverpool, United Kingdom. He has worked in the foreign service of the Holy See for over 30 years, including countries such as Burundi, Tanzania, the Philippines and Guatemala. In November 2017, he visited Argentina and met with President Macri and Foreign Minister Faurie, in addition to participating in a working meeting with several Argentine Ministers.
At noon, again at the Apostolic Palace, Faurie held a private hearing with the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, with whom he addressed the most important issues on the regional and global agenda, including the situation in Venezuela.
"Argentina believes that the international community must continue urging the Venezuelan government to recognize the humanitarian crisis and enable the opening of an aid channel for thousands of Venezuelans fleeing from poverty and hunger," the Argentine Foreign Minister stated.
Faurie also stated that Argentina expects the Organization of American States (OAS) to make constructive contributions to address the situation in Venezuela at its next General Assembly in June.
Parolin was born in Vicenza, Italy. Among the highlights of his career, he worked for 20 years in the Nunciatures in Nigeria and Mexico.
Press release No. 229/18
